At KingsCrowd, we want to be the most comprehensive platform for the online private markets. This includes secondary trading platforms — specifically, Forge Global and others of its kind. Forge and others are secondary market platforms for growth stage and pre-IPO companies where early investors and employees can sell their shares. As such, Forge provides yet another option for investment opportunities available to our accredited investor base.
In March, we highlighted several Forge deals, including SingleStore, Collective Health, and NextDoor. As we continue our coverage of these secondary market platforms, we are excited to bring you some highlights for the month of May.
Below are some of Forge’s current investment opportunities:
Marqeta – Founded in Emeryville, CA, Marqeta is a modern card issuing platform that provides infrastructure and tools to help companies build and manage payment programs. The company’s most recent raise was a $150 million round at a $4.2 billion valuation and an undisclosed share price. Marqeta previously raised a $250 million Series E at a $2 billion post-money valuation. Investors in Marqeta include Coatue, Mastercard, Visa, and more for a total funding amount of $528 million.
Bolt Threads – Bolt Threads is a materials company inventing the next generation of sustainable, good-for-the-planet, high-performance fashion fibers. The company’s most recent round of financing was at $16.04 per share for a valuation of around $740 million. The company’s shares are currently being traded at around $30 per share on Forge. Bolt Threads has raised a total of $218.1 million from Formation 8, Founders Fund, and more.
Convoy – Convoy is a Seattle, WA-based startup using the latest technology to connect shippers with nearby carriers and book jobs resulting in a highly efficient digital freight network. Convoy last raised a $400 million Series D at $13.54 per share for a $2.75 billion valuation in 2019. Its shares are being offered at $21.05 on Forge. The company has raised a total of $665.5 million with investors including T. Rowe Price, CapitalG, Greylock, and more.
We hope this serves as a jumping-off point for any of our accredited readers hoping to become more aware of the secondary market ecosystem. Additionally, we will continue to highlight Forge deals and other secondary markets as fully-comprehensive leaders in the private equity space.
As a reminder, all offers have $100k minimums and are exclusive of a 5% transaction fee. Also, all deals in the space are limited to accredited investors.
If you’re not an accredited investor but you’re interested in selling/buying startup shares, you still have options! NetCapital is a secondary platform where investors can trade their startup shares.
Wall Street has Morningstar, S&P, and Bloomberg
The equity crowdfunding market has KingsCrowd.
About: Francis Vu
An investment professional with a background in private equity and venture capital having spent time conducting investments at VU Venture Partners and Pacific Oak LLC with a finance and management degree from Tulane University.
